Mumbai: Two more Asiatic lions will be brought to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) from Sakkarbaug zoo in Junagadh, Gujarat. Two years ago, a pair of lions was brought to the national park, said Ben Clement, additional principal chief conservator of forests, western wildlife region.
“In exchange for the lions, SGNP will provide a pair of tigers to Sakkarbaug zoo,” said Clement.
The Asiatic lions are being brought for display and breeding. These big cats are kept in the captive safari area. The safari is an important tourist attraction at the national park.
Sakkarbaug zoo provides purebred Asiatic lions for the Indian and international endangered species captive breeding programme for the critically endangered species. Wild free-ranging Asiatic lions have become extinct over most of Asia and are today found only in the nearby Gir forest, according to a press release.
—Clara Lewis